Originally built in 1996 as the Carnival Destiny, the renamed Carnival Sunshine was taken out of service in early 2013 for an extended makeover that has left large areas of the vessel looking as good as new. Andy Newman/Carnival Cruise Lines

Unprecedented in cruising history, the $155 million overhaul of the Carnival Sunshine involved an almost complete gutting and rebuilding of the ship's public areas, and it now boasts almost all-new deck-top zones, a major expansion of dining options and re-imagined entertainment spaces. Andy Newman, Carnival Cruise Lines

During the makeover process, which lasted more than two months, an entire deck was added to the front third of the ship, allowing for a new adults-only lounge area and more cabins. Andy Newman, Carnival Cruise Lines

The hub of the top deck of the Carnival Sunshine remains the main pool area, now called the Beach Pool. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

New on the main pool deck is a large LED screen that's used at night to show movies under the stars and more. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Looming above the rear of the ship, the new WaterWorks area offers three water slides that rival anything found at a land-based resort: The scream-a-minute, 334-foot-long Twister, and dual racing slides that together are called the Speedway Splash. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Standing out in bright yellow, the Twister slide soars over the back of the ship. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

WaterWorks also is home to a splash zone aimed at the littlest tots and a 150-gallon 'dump bucket' that sends water cascading over a wide area when you least expect it. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

A new deck-top activities area on the Carnival Sunshine called SportSquare features one of the first ropes courses at sea, a jogging track, a nine-hole miniature golf course, a basketball court, and ping-pong, foosball and pool tables. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

One of the first ropes courses on a cruise ship, Sky Course lets passengers (in harnesses) climb on an obstacle course high above the sea. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Added during the makeover, the Carnival Sunshine's new ropes course is one of fewer than half a dozen that exist on ships. The first ropes course at sea debuted in 2011 on the Carnival Magic. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

The new SportSquare area is home to a hotdog stand open on sea days. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

An outdoor foosball table at SportSquare. There is no charge to play. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

SportSquare's basketball court is one of its most popular features. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Twister anyone? The game is built into the playful architecture on display at SportSquare. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Part of SportSquare, the Carnival Sunshine's nine-hole miniature golf course wraps around the vessel's funnel and is available free of charge. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

The makeover of the Carnival Sunshine brought a wide range of new eateries, including the deck-top Guy Fieri-created Guy's Burger Joint. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Also new around the pool deck is the RedFrog Rum Bar, a themed outlet that serves up mojitos and other rum drinks. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Opposite the RedFrog Rum Bar on the pool deck is the BlueIguana Tequila Bar, where margaritas are the focus. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

The fourth and final major addition to the pool deck of the Carnival Sunshine was the BlueIguana Cantina, a Chipotle-like burrito bar that serves made-to-order burritos and tacos. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

The outdoor Promenade on Deck 5 remains a quiet place to escape the crowds of the ship. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

More lounge chairs are located along the sides of the ship between the main pool area and WaterWorks. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

The hub of the Carnival Sunshine's interior is the Atrium, a soaring, flashy space that is surrounded by shops and has a bar at its center. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

The Atrium is home to live music daily. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

The Sunshine Casino features table games as well as slot machines. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

The Sunshine Casino is open when the ship is at sea and is one of the few places on the vessel where smoking is allowed. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Among several new bars added during the Carnival Sunshine's makeover in 2013 was the Alchemy Bar, where bartenders dressed as pharmacists concoct alcoholic "prescriptions" for customer. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Adjacent to the Alchemy Bar is the Ocean Plaza, a lounge area with a dance floor that features live music at night. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

The dance floor at the Ocean Plaza. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Carnival Sunshine is the latest Carnival ship to get a RedFrog Pub, a concept that first debuted on the Carnival Magic in 2011. Carnival's own brand of beer, ThirstyFrog Red, is among the options on tap. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Carnival Sunshine's RedFrog Pub is the largest to date on a Carnival ship, but unlike similar venues on the Carnival Magic and Carnival Breeze does not serve food. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

The RedFrog Pub has a small games area that gets busy at night. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Another new bar on the Carnival Sunshine is the sports-themed EA Sports Bar. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

The overhaul of the Carnival Sunshine saw the main theater down-sized from three to two decks, allowing for more cabins to be added to the ship. It now holds 800 passengers. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

The RedFrog Pub has a small games area that gets busy at night. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Another addition to the Carnival Sunshine is the Library Bar, a quiet retreat that functions as both a library and a peaceful place to have a late-night drink. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Located on Deck 4, the Piano Bar 88 offers live piano music nightly in a lively setting. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

The new Fahrenheit 555 steakhouse on Carnival Sunshine is a stylish, contemporary space that serves up top-grade steaks and other dishes for an extra charge (currently $35 per person). Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

The Fahrenheit 555 steakhouse is open for dinner only. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

The Limelight Lounge on Deck 4 transforms at night into the Punchliner Club presented by George Lopez, where live comedy shows take place almost every night. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

The bar at the Limelight Lounge. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

The Carnival Sunshine has two main dining rooms, the Sunrise Restaurant and Sunset Restaurant. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Redecorated during the Carnival Sunshine's overhaul in early 2013, the main dining rooms feature a simpler, more modern design. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

The Lido Marketplace on Deck 9 is the ship's casual buffet eatery, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

A coffee station in the Lido Marketplace. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Food items are available on a self-serve basis in the Lido Marketplace. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Located at the back of the Lido Marketplace is a 24-hour pizzeria serving cooked-to-order, hand-made pizzas. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

The Carnival Sunshine features the first Asian eatery on a Carnival ship, JiJi Asian Kitchen. It costs $12 per adult and $5 per child for dinner. At lunchtime, it offers cooked-to-order Mongolian wok dishes for no extra charge. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Also new for Carnival is the Cuba-themed Havana Bar, located at the back of the ship. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Another view of the Atrium. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

The makeover of the Carnival Sunshine in early 2013 brought 182 new cabins, bringing the total number on the ship to 1,503. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Among the most common type of cabin on the ship is the Ocean View with Balcony, shown here, of which there are 508. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY